The falling snow brings a hush to Three Pines - until a scream pierces the air. A spectator at the annual Boxing Day curling match has been fatally electrocuted. Heading the investigation, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache unravels the dead woman's past and discovers a history of secrets and enemies.

Paperback, 384 pages

Published
April 5th 2007
by Headline
(first published January 1st 2006)

RichardDoesn't actually occur in any one book. The replay of it in Gamache's mind makes up one of the three plots in Bury Your Dead. The aftermath of that…moreDoesn't actually occur in any one book. The replay of it in Gamache's mind makes up one of the three plots in Bury Your Dead. The aftermath of that plays a role in all the books after this one. (less)

Community Reviews

Where to begin with all the richness that A FATAL GRACE gave me. Reading it, I wondered how I had lived so long without discovering the work of Louise Penny, a first-rate writer. Her creation in this book is so real, her writing so lyrical, her characters so unique and the book's structure and meaning so complex that I began mumbling to myself, taking my sweet time reading the book in order to savor its mix of flavors, its innuendoes and subtleties, having at times to stop and scratch my head. IWhere to begin with all the richness that A FATAL GRACE gave me. Reading it, I wondered how I had lived so long without discovering the work of Louise Penny, a first-rate writer. Her creation in this book is so real, her writing so lyrical, her characters so unique and the book's structure and meaning so complex that I began mumbling to myself, taking my sweet time reading the book in order to savor its mix of flavors, its innuendoes and subtleties, having at times to stop and scratch my head. It hurts me sometimes to have to hunt for meaning, but in this case the reward was worth the pain.

The characters are memorable. I especially liked chief inspector Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie and I loved the painter, Carol, her fragility and her luminous works; the enigmatic figure, Agent Nichol and the bag lady, Elle, and I could hear with Emilie's ears Tchaikovsky's violin concerto in D. I loved Ruth, the drunken and slovenly poet who at one point declares she committed the crime, a total hoot. And of course, the setting, Three Pines, a quaint, snowy village in the Quebec province of the author's imagination.

The book is about the murder by electrocution on Christmas of the despicable C.C. de Poitiers, a character we love to hate. But it is also about the power of words and how they save and how they hurt. And it is about the agony of the people they destroy.

A FATAL GRACE is not for everyone, not an easy read, but it is a fascinating mystery and a work of genius. It kept me guessing until the end. So if you love mystery and rare, rich setting; if you long for unique characters and meaning deep as bones, then don't miss A FATAL GRACE....more

Anita BylerYou express my feelings exactly. And- thanks to this book, I've found another Leonard Cohen masterpiece I'd not heard before. I love reading an authorYou express my feelings exactly. And- thanks to this book, I've found another Leonard Cohen masterpiece I'd not heard before. I love reading an author who truly truly can share with us so much because the well is so deep....more
Feb 11, 2015 04:29PM

MargitteYou write a marvellous review for this book. I am in love with this series as well. Cannot wait to get the other books. I think I still have two to reYou write a marvellous review for this book. I am in love with this series as well. Cannot wait to get the other books. I think I still have two to read. Must buy the rest....more
Feb 15, 2015 04:09AM

Myrna looked out the window and wondered whether their peace, so fragile and precious, was about to be shattered. Since CC de Poitiers had arrived there'd been a gathering gloom over their little community. She'd brought something unsavory to Three Pines, in time for Christmas.

It is Christmas in Three Pines- and once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team are called to investigate another murder...

No one liked CC de Poitiers – not her daughter, not her husband, not her lover, and cerMyrna looked out the window and wondered whether their peace, so fragile and precious, was about to be shattered. Since CC de Poitiers had arrived there'd been a gathering gloom over their little community. She'd brought something unsavory to Three Pines, in time for Christmas.

It is Christmas in Three Pines- and once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team are called to investigate another murder...

No one liked CC de Poitiers – not her daughter, not her husband, not her lover, and certainly not her neighbors. So when Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is called to investigate CC’s death on the day after Christmas- in the midst of a curling match- he has plenty of suspects, but apparently even though she was killed with the entire town present...no one saw a thing.

A FATAL GRACE is a marvelous mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style... and Tis the season for a marvelous mystery! Isn't it?

Louise Penny is a gifted writer who has created in Chief Inspector Armand Gamache a sympathetic protagonist who appeals to large numbers of readers. She has also created a richly-imagined setting in the charming Canadian village of Three Pines, which is located somewhere just south of Montreal. The tiny hamlet is populated by a cast of quirky but mostly lovable characters who spend a lot of time walking through the snow and curling up in front of blazing fires. In doing so, Penny has attracted aLouise Penny is a gifted writer who has created in Chief Inspector Armand Gamache a sympathetic protagonist who appeals to large numbers of readers. She has also created a richly-imagined setting in the charming Canadian village of Three Pines, which is located somewhere just south of Montreal. The tiny hamlet is populated by a cast of quirky but mostly lovable characters who spend a lot of time walking through the snow and curling up in front of blazing fires. In doing so, Penny has attracted a legion of enthusiastic readers who, apparently, can hardly wait for each new installment of the series to appear.

This is the second book in the series and the second that I've read, in both cases because the book was selected by one of the book clubs to which I belong. Having done so, I can stand back and dispassionately appreciate Penny's accomplishment; my problem is that this just isn't the sort of book that appeals to me. Inspector Gamache is just a bit too perfect and life in the little snow-globe village of Three Pines is just a bit too saccharine for my taste.

I don't mean that to sound as dismissive as it probably does, and again, I understand that there are large numbers of readers who would love to live in Three Pines, but I'd probably go stark raving mad in less than a week.

In thinking about it, it occurred to me that, on the one hand, you have the world of Three Pines and, on the other, for example, the world of Matthew Scudder's New York City as imagined by Lawrence Block. And it strikes me that, while certainly there would be exceptions to the rule, most of the people who enjoy hanging out in Scudder's New York aren't going to want to spend a lot of time in Gamache's Three Pines, and vice-versa. What it comes down to, I guess, is that I'm just one of those people who would much rather spend a night hanging out with Matt and Mick Ballou, drinking a good Irish whiskey at Grogan's Open House than I would sitting around a pleasant fire at the bistro in Three Pines, drinking a nice hot chocolate.

In this case, a particularly unpleasant woman is murdered in a very complicated and public way while attending a curling match. Sitting at the front of the crowd, the victim stands up, touches the chair in front of her and is promptly electrocuted.

Gamache is called to investigate and soon is digging into the secrets and tangled relationships of the little village that go back for years. At the same time, he is assisting in another totally unrelated murder, that of a street person who is killed in Montreal. All of this occurs in the dead of winter and the weather itself becomes an important factor in the story.

The story takes a number of twist and turns and, again, I can understand its appeal. But I did have a lot of trouble buying into the way the Three Pines murder occurred; it just seemed completely implausible to me and unnecessarily complicated. As one of the characters asked, why go to all that trouble? Why not simply shoot her or something?

In the case of my book club, most of the Louise Penny fans were perfectly happy with the book, while others of us were less enthusiastic. Again, I recognize that Ms. Penny is a very talented writer, but I probably don't need to make a third visit to Three Pines....more

DianeI get what you're feeling, but I need to tell you, I truly would want to live in NYC before Three Pines. However, I would much more want to be Ruth, tI get what you're feeling, but I need to tell you, I truly would want to live in NYC before Three Pines. However, I would much more want to be Ruth, the profane foul-mouthed poet in my crone years. And I'd love to have the gay couple at a Thanksgiving dinner. There are authors I read enjoying the darkness, e.g., Jo Nesbos and authors I read enjoying the quirks of a community, e.g., Martin Walker. I don't see it so much as an either/or proposition, I enjoy them both deeply. Which is not to say you should too. I love contrarian views on books! Please keep telling us how you see things....more
Jan 24, 2015 08:40AM

ELIZABETH DURANHey man you tube quince marmalade and frozen yogurt is not the good work in a nap and tomorrow morning at work today
Jan 29, 2015 03:31PM

This is the second book I've read in this series and just as good as the other one I have read. I'm not reading them in order, which is fine with me since it's usually a few weeks after I finish one before I start another in the series. I really love Louise Penny's writing style and the way she develops these characters. Here are two of my favorite lines from this book:

"There at the back stood CC de Poitiers wearing a fluffy white sweater made of either cashmere or kittens."

"Now she sat in frontThis is the second book I've read in this series and just as good as the other one I have read. I'm not reading them in order, which is fine with me since it's usually a few weeks after I finish one before I start another in the series. I really love Louise Penny's writing style and the way she develops these characters. Here are two of my favorite lines from this book:

"There at the back stood CC de Poitiers wearing a fluffy white sweater made of either cashmere or kittens."

"Now she sat in front of him, nearly submerged under layers of thick sweaters and blankets. She looked like a laundry hamper. With a head. A very small, very worn head."

I started reading this book immediately after finishing Still Life, with high expectations. At first, I was disappointed. The initial chapters seemed to lose the edge established by the prior book, the returning characters from the village of Three Pines seemed far less interesting than before.

Then Inspector Gamache came on the scene, late in my judgment, but once he made his appearance, the story took off, with an accelerating pace that lasted all the way through. The Three Pines characters, nI started reading this book immediately after finishing Still Life, with high expectations. At first, I was disappointed. The initial chapters seemed to lose the edge established by the prior book, the returning characters from the village of Three Pines seemed far less interesting than before.

Then Inspector Gamache came on the scene, late in my judgment, but once he made his appearance, the story took off, with an accelerating pace that lasted all the way through. The Three Pines characters, now seen through Gamache's eyes and not forced to make it on their own, regained their gloss. The plot is more than a little bizarre, and not quite believable in all aspects, but so what. It's a ripping story, thoroughly enjoyable.

And author Penny clearly lays the basis for further intrigue in the career of Inspector Gamache, finally explaining the case that happened before Still Life and letting us know why there are some in the Sûreté who are out to get him....more

It is seldom the case for me to feel a happy contentment when opening up a book. A feeling of "Oh, it feels so good to be home". Louise Penny has become a firm favorite in the murder mystery genre and I just loved to be home in the Three Pines village of Quebec again with all the characters welcoming me. This time it was the day after Christmas, the deadly winter was raging, and more people would die than ever imagined.

CC was a despised woman. Obnoxious, cruel, -she was maddeningly bad news- toIt is seldom the case for me to feel a happy contentment when opening up a book. A feeling of "Oh, it feels so good to be home". Louise Penny has become a firm favorite in the murder mystery genre and I just loved to be home in the Three Pines village of Quebec again with all the characters welcoming me. This time it was the day after Christmas, the deadly winter was raging, and more people would die than ever imagined.

CC was a despised woman. Obnoxious, cruel, -she was maddeningly bad news- to the people who knew who she was, but did not reveal the secret.

Well, CC died, electrocuted on a frozen lake while the entire village was there, curling, and Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, of the Sûreté du Québec, arrived in Three Pines again. The whosdunit was on!

The book could well have been a novel about a small-town community without the murder mysteries to turn it into a picturesque magical, although imaginery, place. The author enhanced the story with multilevels of intrigue and suspense. For a small romantic village, there seems to be quite an extraordinary number of murders!

Hopefully the third book in the series will be just as good as the first two. I am hooked!

3.5 stars. The 2nd in the Gamache series did not get quite as high praise as the first, but I will continue with this series. I think this one bogged down a bit for me and perhaps since the victim was not very likable I am not sure I was as invested in finding out "who dunnit".

That said, I love Gamache and his team. I love the way he methodically plods to the conclusion and I try to figure the mystery out right along with him. This one came to me rather early but I could not figure out all th 3.5 stars. The 2nd in the Gamache series did not get quite as high praise as the first, but I will continue with this series. I think this one bogged down a bit for me and perhaps since the victim was not very likable I am not sure I was as invested in finding out "who dunnit".

That said, I love Gamache and his team. I love the way he methodically plods to the conclusion and I try to figure the mystery out right along with him. This one came to me rather early but I could not figure out all the how? Also love the quirky characters of Three Pines...but I wonder how many murders can take place there?? I am unsure if all the books are set there or not?

I very much like that we continued to get a bit more insight into these characters and they are developing more depth and past history. This makes me want to return. A delightful mystery for a cold wintry weekend....more

ShannonNot all of the mysteries occur in Three Pines. ;) Many, but not all.
Dec 13, 2013 07:35PM

FrancineI too liked it, just not as much as the first one. I was put off by the secondary mystery they kept mentioning. I had to check to make sure this was tI too liked it, just not as much as the first one. I was put off by the secondary mystery they kept mentioning. I had to check to make sure this was the second book, and I hadn't missed one. Oh, and I also find myself wondering just how many residents of a small town can be "done in" before it becomes unbelievable!...more
Jan 07, 2014 11:09AM

I really enjoyed this second book in the series and the quirky characters are back and we are becoming friends. I missed them. It is Christmas time in Three Pines and gives a nice winter environment. Gamache actually deals. with two murders in this book. One deals with a homeless person and the other murder deals with a mean unjoyous woman, Cc de Poitiers. Working with his partner Beauvoir and newcomer Lemieux, Gamache investigates the crimes, learning more and more about the residents of ThreeI really enjoyed this second book in the series and the quirky characters are back and we are becoming friends. I missed them. It is Christmas time in Three Pines and gives a nice winter environment. Gamache actually deals. with two murders in this book. One deals with a homeless person and the other murder deals with a mean unjoyous woman, Cc de Poitiers. Working with his partner Beauvoir and newcomer Lemieux, Gamache investigates the crimes, learning more and more about the residents of Three Pines in the process. Lawn chairs are positioned around a heating lamp on Lac Brume for the curling charity game. A lawn chair is electrified by the murderer. It is used to electrocute Cc. It seems like an impossible murder. How could she be electrocuted during a curling match, without anyone seeing a thing? This series is such a treat and loved every moment of it so far, and I already have the 3rd book in the series waiting on me to read....more

Better than Still Life but that says something since I liked that one very much. Many of the same characters are back and Armand continues to charm. He is the kind of leader/mentor I would aspire to be when I find myself in that role. The setting in small village Quebec works well and the plot is interesting and sublime. As a whodunit you can deduce many of the interim mysteries but the final is hard to decifer until the very end. Her descriptions are lavish and picturesque. Looking forward to rBetter than Still Life but that says something since I liked that one very much. Many of the same characters are back and Armand continues to charm. He is the kind of leader/mentor I would aspire to be when I find myself in that role. The setting in small village Quebec works well and the plot is interesting and sublime. As a whodunit you can deduce many of the interim mysteries but the final is hard to decifer until the very end. Her descriptions are lavish and picturesque. Looking forward to reading the next in the series to see what is going on with a background mystery regarding Armand's future as an inspector....more

It is winter in the cozy town of Three Pines, Quebec and once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team have been called upon to solve a murder. However, the victim – CC de Poitiers – isn’t mourned by anyone, not even her husband and daughter. To compound the situation, Poitiers was murdered right in front of the entire village in an extraordinary way, yet nobody saw who did it. Gamache must once again use his patience and intellect to find a killer in a town where everyone knows everyonIt is winter in the cozy town of Three Pines, Quebec and once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team have been called upon to solve a murder. However, the victim – CC de Poitiers – isn’t mourned by anyone, not even her husband and daughter. To compound the situation, Poitiers was murdered right in front of the entire village in an extraordinary way, yet nobody saw who did it. Gamache must once again use his patience and intellect to find a killer in a town where everyone knows everyone.

“The bistro was his secret weapon in tracking down murderers. Not just in Three Pines, but in every town and village in Quebec. First he found a comfortable café or brasserie, or bistro, then he found the murderer. Because Armand Gamache knew something many of his colleagues never figured out. Murder was deeply human, the murdered and the murderer. To describe the murderer as a monstrosity, a grotesque, was to give him an unfair advantage. No. Murderers were human, and at the root of each murder was an emotion. Warped, no doubt. Twisted and ugly. But an emotion. And one so powerful it had driven a man to make a ghost.

Gamache's job was to collect the evidence, but also to collect the emotions. And the only way he knew to do that was do get to know the people. To watch and listen. To pay attention, and the best way to do that was in a deceptively casual way in a deceptively casual setting.

Like the bistro.”

Following in the footsteps of Still Life, Louise Penny brings back the wonderful cast of characters to the beautiful hamlet of Three Pines in A Fatal Grace. And as before, it is Penny’s subtlety as a writer that makes this series a joy to read. The plot is done very well, never truly revealing itself until Penny is ready. Unlike so many detective series that focus on the more brutal aspects of crime, this series harkens back to more atmospheric writers like Agatha Christie, who focused on the interplay of the characters rather than the shock factor.

Chief Inspector Gamache takes on an even more central role in A Fatal Grace. Penny goes much deeper into what makes the inspector the enigmatic person he is and the parts of his past that still dog him. I was happy to learn so much more about him since Still Life, and that portrayal alone makes me want to keep reading the series beyond this installment. Penny doesn’t stop there. All of the fascinating characters are back and each contributes to the story.

A Fatal Grace is really a locked-room mystery in most ways given the remote locale of Three Pines. This allows the action to unfold in an almost gentile fashion. Penny doesn’t beat the reader over the head with anything. It is an intellectual game of wits and Gamache is a master at putting the pieces together. My only criticism is that the character of CC de Poitiers was so completely unlikable in every way, that it took a little bit of the urgency away in finding the murderer. But Penny makes up for most of that with the interwoven relationships of the residents of Three Pines.

Once again, Penny has not disappointed with Armand Gamache. A Fatal Grace continues the series with the same writing that hooked me in Still Life. I am eager to pick up the next installment and see where Penny will take Gamache next. The gorgeous writing and atmospheric pacing is sure to have me curled up for another great mystery....more

What Louise Penny does is create a small, intimate world, while creating a sense of place so pervasive you feel you know it. Canada is rarely featured in best-selling books, and to have it so celebrated is wonderful. It is Quebec, to be sure, but the Quebec of Anglo-culture, and so, it is the Canadian Quebec.

Most powerful, for me, is the way she builds quiet characters of amazing strength and depth. These are not cartoon-brilliant people. They are, for the most part, fully-fleshed out, but rathWhat Louise Penny does is create a small, intimate world, while creating a sense of place so pervasive you feel you know it. Canada is rarely featured in best-selling books, and to have it so celebrated is wonderful. It is Quebec, to be sure, but the Quebec of Anglo-culture, and so, it is the Canadian Quebec.

Most powerful, for me, is the way she builds quiet characters of amazing strength and depth. These are not cartoon-brilliant people. They are, for the most part, fully-fleshed out, but rather ordinary people, for and around whom extraordinary events take place. I cared about them.

And I love how she handles food. She herself talks about how the murder is really a conceit for the characters to reveal themselves - and their relationships. I think she has achieved this, and taken the mystery well beyond the procedural or the two-dimensional world of so many modern mysteries.

She also has a reporter's eye for the compelling detail, and this effort, the research that has gone into the books, keep them from being too precious. There is a dense strong realism undergirding the story line. And she knows how to dose out the story, to keep you engaged.

I also love the poet, the Ruth character, and her arc, through all the books, is amazing. As a reader, I at first disliked her, but she grew on me. I am not an expert, but Ruth's poetry resonates for me, I found it compelling, really powerful. I wish Penny would publish a book of poems by Ruth.

It took a little while to get started, but what a great finish! I really enjoyed the second in the Inspector Gamache series. The village of Three Pines and all its inhabitants comes alive under the pen of Louise Penny. I'm also enjoying getting to know not only Gamache, but all of his team. The villagers and the team are all recurring characters. Many are quirky and odd, which makes me like them even more. I'll definitely be continuing with this series. Penny understands a great breadth of humanIt took a little while to get started, but what a great finish! I really enjoyed the second in the Inspector Gamache series. The village of Three Pines and all its inhabitants comes alive under the pen of Louise Penny. I'm also enjoying getting to know not only Gamache, but all of his team. The villagers and the team are all recurring characters. Many are quirky and odd, which makes me like them even more. I'll definitely be continuing with this series. Penny understands a great breadth of human emotion, and it shows in the wide range of her characters. More literary than the typical mystery series, you may be surprised by the emotions elicited by her novels. ...more

I am intrigued by this mystery series, set in the oh-so-quaint village of Three Pines. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this second installment of the series as much as the first.

This time around, Penny seems to be painting her characters with a broader brush. Several characters seem much more comic-boo-caricaturish than they did in Still Life. Also, Dead Cold feels like a "middle" book, with ongoing subplots that don't particularly get anywhere and leave readers with a sense of incompletion.

On thI am intrigued by this mystery series, set in the oh-so-quaint village of Three Pines. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this second installment of the series as much as the first.

This time around, Penny seems to be painting her characters with a broader brush. Several characters seem much more comic-boo-caricaturish than they did in Still Life. Also, Dead Cold feels like a "middle" book, with ongoing subplots that don't particularly get anywhere and leave readers with a sense of incompletion.

On the other hand, Penny still has lots of skill with prose, description, and observation. She can still come up with paragraphs that sound like this:

"And if he dug deep enough Gamache might eventually find the room Beauvoir tried to keep hidden even from himself. In that room waited Beauvoir’s fears, fetid and hungry. And slouching there, hidden below the fear of rejection and intimacy, sat the fear that someday Beauvoir would lose Gamache. And beside that fear, in that hidden room, sat something else. It was where Beauvoir’s love hid, curled into a tiny protective ball and rolled into the furthest corner of his mind."

Inspector Gamache is becoming an old friend who I look forward to visiting again and again. The quirky residents of a Three Pines add to these stories and I would love to have dinner with my personal favorite Ruth who is just cranky enough to be interesting.

My one drawback for this story was the description of the daughter of the victim as fat and grotesque. The fat shaming was a bit much and caused my husband, who was listening to this book with me, to walk away from the story.

I am hooked and wInspector Gamache is becoming an old friend who I look forward to visiting again and again. The quirky residents of a Three Pines add to these stories and I would love to have dinner with my personal favorite Ruth who is just cranky enough to be interesting.

My one drawback for this story was the description of the daughter of the victim as fat and grotesque. The fat shaming was a bit much and caused my husband, who was listening to this book with me, to walk away from the story.

Many of my reading friends have read A Fatal Grace, the second in Louise Penny's Three Pines Mystery Series, later books becoming A Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Novel. Few have had much to say about it other than giving it 4-5 stars. This could be due to its publication date, perhaps a bit pre-GR or just that it's a good mystery and that's that.

I could immediately see Penny's growth as a writer. I found it far better plotted and much more engaging than the first in the series. From what I'm hMany of my reading friends have read A Fatal Grace, the second in Louise Penny's Three Pines Mystery Series, later books becoming A Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Novel. Few have had much to say about it other than giving it 4-5 stars. This could be due to its publication date, perhaps a bit pre-GR or just that it's a good mystery and that's that.

I could immediately see Penny's growth as a writer. I found it far better plotted and much more engaging than the first in the series. From what I'm hearing they just keep getting better which is wonderful news.

As with the first, the story takes place in the fictional, small town of Three Pines, Quebec. Continuing characters return making it seem like a visit with people you are getting to know. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is seeking the killer of a CC dePoitiers, a woman detested by almost everyone in thecommunity. She is so disliked that not many truly mourn her passing but still the murderer must be found. C C has been offed in a most unusual way, electrocution at an outdoor curling match at Christmas time. This in itself is part of the fun of solving the mystery.

I listened to A Fatal Grace. This had its pros and cons. Certainly the Blackstone Audio narration by Ralph Cosham is a plus. His pronunciation of the French and his accent made the whole experience much more enjoyable for me. A minus is that it was difficult to bookmark wonderful passages or phrasing to keep and share. This often necessitates acquiring the physical book and searching to find the specific words for quote. Consider this passage which takes place on Christmas Eve at St. Thomas Church described as filled with greenery and light and beautiful singing.'All is calm, the voice sang, rescuing the sinking congregation. Clara turned, trying to find the child. Many were also craning to see who was leading them. Even Gavri was forced to relinquish his place in the unexpected and not totally welcome presence of the divine. It was as though an angel, as Yeats would have it, became weary of the whimpering dead and chose this lively company.Clara suddenly had a perfect view.

There at the back stood CC dePoitiers wearing a fluffy white sweater made of either cashmere or kittens Beside her was her husband, florid and mute. And beside him an enormous child was wearing a sleeveless sundress of the brightest pink. Her underarms bulged and flopped and the rolls of her waist made the skin tight dress look like a melting strawberry ice cream. It was grotesque.But her face was beautiful."

I quote this passage as the singer is Cree, CC's daughter, a horribly awkward child who is often the recipient of her mother's venomous tongue and this time is no exception. To Cree's singing, CC states:"You're a stupid, stupid girl". Everyone was staring at you. You humiliated me" This illustrates beautifully CC's overall personality and why she is so disliked.

Penny seems to have many central themes in her books, music, religion, faith, art, small town politics, secrets; all with a touch of humor and love. In addition there are the characters, both charming and unlikeable making for a good read.

Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache Novels might be considered cozies. I'm not certain. There's a bit more here than what I consider cozy but not enough that would leave out those that can't tolerate heavy violence. I guess they are somewhat Agatha Christie like with lots of suspects, red herrings and a murderer who is revealed by books end. There's a touch of the f word if that bothers you.A good argument for "not" is given by Beth Kanell, author of her own New England Mysteries Series and co-owner with her husband Dave, of Kingdom Books in Would You Say a Louise Penny Book Is a "Cozy" Mystery? I Say It's NOT!

As for CC, she is so vile that even I found her despicable but I didn't kill her. Who did?...more

DEAD COLD (Police Procedural-Canada-Cont) – ExPenny, Louise – 2nd in seriesHeadline, 2006- UK Hardcover*** Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his officers have been called back to the town of Three Pines. CC de Poitiers, an extremely unpleasant woman, has been murdered in public at the height of a curling match. Figuring out how she was killed is as much a mystery as uncovering who killed her.*** Penny’s books are deceptive. On one hand, they seem a simple traditional mystery, set in a small towDEAD COLD (Police Procedural-Canada-Cont) – ExPenny, Louise – 2nd in seriesHeadline, 2006- UK Hardcover*** Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his officers have been called back to the town of Three Pines. CC de Poitiers, an extremely unpleasant woman, has been murdered in public at the height of a curling match. Figuring out how she was killed is as much a mystery as uncovering who killed her.*** Penny’s books are deceptive. On one hand, they seem a simple traditional mystery, set in a small town with lots of interesting, quirky characters, lots of suspects from which to choose and good twists and turns along the way. Penny does do dialogue well and her sense of place is evocative. But then there a second layer, hard to describe, but one I find makes me occasionally stop and think while reading and stays with me long after I’ve closed the book. Penny is one of those I can be being on my very short list of authors to re-read. Highly recommended....more

The second in author Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, A Fatal Grace, reacquaints the reader with the friendly villagers of Three Pines and members of the Quebec Surete. As before, a murder in Three Pines brings them together once again.

While each book in the series is a stand-alone there are references to past events that link the books and serve as an understory that will be fleshed out and resolved in future volumes, including the machinations between and amongst members of the SureThe second in author Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series, A Fatal Grace, reacquaints the reader with the friendly villagers of Three Pines and members of the Quebec Surete. As before, a murder in Three Pines brings them together once again.

While each book in the series is a stand-alone there are references to past events that link the books and serve as an understory that will be fleshed out and resolved in future volumes, including the machinations between and amongst members of the Surete, as well as the frequent references to "the Arnot case".

Thus far this series offers pleasurable reading and enough clues, red herrings, twists and turns to satisfy both the avid cozy mystery fan and readers who love a good story....more

Second in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache cozy mystery series and revolving around Gamache and a small cast of villagers from Three Pines in Canada.

And winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel!

My TakeAn excellent cozy, cottage mystery with Québecois Christmas traditions as Gamache, a Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot wrapped in one with his easy, laidback style, and the core cast of village characters from Still Life, 1, get jolted by yet another murderous mystery. Hmmm, what are the chanSecond in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache cozy mystery series and revolving around Gamache and a small cast of villagers from Three Pines in Canada.

And winner of the 2007 Agatha Award for Best Novel!

My TakeAn excellent cozy, cottage mystery with Québecois Christmas traditions as Gamache, a Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot wrapped in one with his easy, laidback style, and the core cast of village characters from Still Life, 1, get jolted by yet another murderous mystery. Hmmm, what are the chances of a small village charging through murder yet again?

It's the core group with additions — we do need new (to us) villagers to keep it interesting — and Gamache has a new rookie to whom he's teaching the trade of murder. Clara is freaking out about her art possibly being discovered — I suspect I'd love Clara's artwork! — while Agent Nichol is still as self-absorbed as ever. And the fire incident does not help her self-esteem at all. Although I'm thinking that Uncle Saul's legacy might have been laid to rest, please god.

This was an interesting read for me as a writer/editor, especially in light of all my research into self-publishing as CC has her horrible book that no publishing house wants to touch, and yet she's convinced it's the next runaway bestseller of the century. How is it that people like her create such peaceful ideas which they don't understand?

We do learn how Myrna arrived in Three Pines, how Jean Guy was pulled into Homicide, and shockingly, how insensitive Jean Guy is. I was very surprised. For as much as he idolizes Gamache, I should have thought he was as kind and considerate as his boss. We also learn more about the Arnot case that has put a stop to Gamache's career.

"I see nothing wrong with that … Gabri and I follow the way of Häagen Das. It's occasionally a rocky road."

It's such a contrast between the happy warmth of friends at Christmas with the vicious attacks of an insecure woman who can't bear that others might be happy. Although, even the happy ones have their sad moments. Em's will make you cry.

This one had me totally at a loss as Penny tossed in so many twists and turns that I ended up standing on my head, backwards. Mostly in shock at the betrayal at the end. Read it anyway, you'll be FINE, just as I was.

The StoryIt's a delightful flurry of Christmas shopping and enchanting display windows interspersed with the cold realities of a miserable mother, a more miserable child, and death.

All while Em holds her réveillon between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The execution is both brilliant and macabre. Murder in full view and no one saw anything.

Meanwhile, Gamache has his own nightmare swirling in.

The CharactersChief Inspector Armand Gamache of the kind eyes and calm face is stagnating at the Sûreté in Montreal due to a case in which he ignored his orders. Reine-Marie is his so very understanding wife and a librarian. Marc Brault is Gamache's opposite number over at the Montreal Metropolitan Police with whom he has a standing Boxing Day tradition. Jean Guy Beauvoir is Gamache's second-in-command with a love for fine clothes, and Isabelle Lacoste is part of his team. Superintendent Michel Brébeuf is Gamache's best friend and his supervisor.

Robert Lemieux is the duty officer at the Cowansville police station in the Eastern Townships. Dr. Lambert is the ER doctor who became suspicious. Dr. Sharon Harris is the coroner. Agent Yvette Nichol is back! Reassigned to Gamache by his arch-enemy, Superintendent Francoeur. Ari Nikolev is Yvette's proud, yet deceitful father. Superintendent Arnot thought he was God and encouraged his men to play God.

The Core Inhabitants of Three PinesClara is an artist who creates collages and has yet to find her market. Or vice versa. Her husband, Peter Morrow, is already famous, but works so slowly on his intensely magnified paintings that they'll never get rich. Fortunately, those money problems were taken care of in Still Life. Lucy was Jane's dog and now lives with the Morrows. Myrna Landers is a heavyset former psychologist who now runs the village bookstore. Ruth Zardo is the curmudgeonly poet, who had won a Governor General prize for her work. She's also the volunteer fire chief! Olivier Brulé and his partner, Gabri Dubeau, own a bed & breakfast in Three Pines; Olivier sells antiques as well while Gabri is the most delicious cook. And Philippe Croft is now waiting tables at the bistro.

Émilie Longpré, Kaye Thompson (she ran Thompson Mills for decades), and Beatrice Mayer, a.k.a., Mother Bea, who runs a meditation center, have been the three musketeers for yonks. Gus and David are the family Em lost. Eleanor Allaire was a bright and shining child, and a friend of Em, Kaye, and Bea's.

Minor Inhabitants of Three PinesHanna Parra is the local elected representative; Roar is her husband. Sarah runs a tasty Boulangerie while Monsieur Béliveau runs the general store.

Saul Petrov is a photographer beginning that slide down into a boring middle age. CC de Poitiers is the very OCD author of Be Calm, and no, she does not practice what she preaches. In fact, she goes out of her way to be mean to everyone. Crie is CC's unloved, unwanted, abused daughter with the most incredible voice; Richard Lyon is CC's loser husband, what she's made him into. Raman Das is, supposedly, CC's guru.

Denis Fortin is the owner of a famous art gallery, Galerie Fortin. Yolande Fontaine was Jane Neal's niece, and she's a real estate agent who had a house to get rid of. Georges Simenon has joined Em, Kaye, and Bea's curling team this year. Billy Williams sets up the bleachers and provides the generator for the game.

Elle is a homeless woman who was strangled. Terry Moscher is the director of the Mission.

The CoverThe cover is so peaceful with its view of the frozen chunks of snowy ice bobbing in Lac Brume. A gray lilac near the front, as you go back, the orange and yellow lights of the village reflect vertically in its waters.

The title is inspired by the triple portrait Clara has created, The Three Graces, only the inspiration is from A Fatal Grace....more

I really enjoyed Dead Cold and am happy to report that the 5 stars I rated the series’ first book wasn’t a fluke. Book 2 is just as good. Dead Cold is a police procedural or who done it but it is so very much more. There are layers and layers to the story. There is the primary crime to be solved but there are numerous sub plots woven expertly into the story. Even if you figure something out before the end, it doesn’t matter. The pleasure for me is the journey, reading the words, getting to knowI really enjoyed Dead Cold and am happy to report that the 5 stars I rated the series’ first book wasn’t a fluke. Book 2 is just as good. Dead Cold is a police procedural or who done it but it is so very much more. There are layers and layers to the story. There is the primary crime to be solved but there are numerous sub plots woven expertly into the story. Even if you figure something out before the end, it doesn’t matter. The pleasure for me is the journey, reading the words, getting to know the villagers and especially learning more about Inspector Gamache – the writing and descriptions are that good.

For me, the character development played a huge role in my enjoyment of this book. There is truly an ensemble cast living in Three Rivers, a fictional small village community in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. Living there are a number of visual artists, writers, retirees, and owners of retail stores and services like a bookstore owner who wanted to get away from the mad rush of the big city, a couple who own a bed and breakfast, with a restaurant and bar, where everyone gathers for happy hour. The characters are quirky, eccentric and very interesting. Typical of a small community, everybody knows everybody (at least they think they do) and everything. They look out for each other, hang around together and host numerous community gatherings.

Because it is an arts community, there are lots of interesting discussions and references in the book to poetry, painting, philosophy, antiques etc. As indicated, it’s another layer – poetry within the story, philosophy within the story – all the characters share their personal interests with the reader.

The weather is also a major character in this particular book. Dead Cold takes place in the dead of winter. “He walked over the arched stone bridge, enjoying the silence of the village. Snow did that. It laid down a simple, clean duvet that muffled all sound and kept everything beneath alive. Farmers and gardeners in Quebec wished for two things in winter: lots of snow and continuous cold. An early thaw was a disaster. It tricked the young and vulnerable into exposing themselves, only to be nipped in the root. A killing frost.” Even if you have never experienced snow before, Louise Penny will make you feel it.

Inspector Gamache is the lead detective and what I would call a Renaissance man. He is incredibly well-read, loves poetry and quotes philosophers. He is also a spiritual man with a caring, giving soul, well-loved by those who work on his team and quickly accepted by the villagers in the community. He often quotes books and poetry and famous people, so you get quite a smattering of interesting topics covered within the primary story. Gamache, like his Quebecois wife, is very “French”. They are smart dressers, full of joie de vivre, influenced by their roots and partaking in typical French food – cheeses, croissants, pates etc. so reading the book is like taking a trip to Quebec. You get to experience the lifestyle without leaving home.

Dead Cold is the name of the book outside the U.S. In the US edition, the same book was released as A Fatal Grace. I’d recommend you read the series in order. That way you’ll get to better know the ensemble cast and the principle character Inspector Gamache who is the true leading man in this detective series. Dead Cold / A Fatal Grace is a terrific mystery who done it with a great plot and wonderful characters. Can’t wait for the next book in the series....more

I am hooked on Louise Penny, even though I'm not a particular fan of murder mysteries. Many people enjoy mysteries for the puzzle, and this book certainly has a gigantic one, but I tend to read mysteries more for the characters and setting, which is what makes me want to return to Louise Penny's books. Sure, you want an intriguing plot, but what brings a novel of this genre to the next level is the humanity of its characters. Penny not only has an understanding of human nature, she imparts a cerI am hooked on Louise Penny, even though I'm not a particular fan of murder mysteries. Many people enjoy mysteries for the puzzle, and this book certainly has a gigantic one, but I tend to read mysteries more for the characters and setting, which is what makes me want to return to Louise Penny's books. Sure, you want an intriguing plot, but what brings a novel of this genre to the next level is the humanity of its characters. Penny not only has an understanding of human nature, she imparts a certain glamor to the everyday, making common experiences like a shared meal, a conversation by the fire, looking out at a winter landscape, or viewing the display of a favorite shop window resonate with beauty and meaning. She imbues her characters with a spiritual depth, giving some who have suffered great loss a deep well of joy, while others turn bitter and hateful. There's a quiet mysticism in these books, though some characters who strive for it fail to reach it, and a warning that those who proclaim it the loudest typically have selfish motives of their own. Art and poetry provide beauty, meaning, and context. Penny's description of artwork, a difficult thing to pull off, are the best I've read because she invokes the feelings of the observer.

This isn't a perfect book. The means of the murder, while being bizarre and intriguing, is almost too contrived. I was smugly proud of myself for having figured out the murderer and having my assumption verified when there's a twist at the end. So much for that! The victim and her family are too extreme. I think it would have been more interesting had they been more 'normal,' but the main victim is unremittingly bad and the other victim exceedingly gross. The history of the second victim and the explanation of her fall from grace is very slim and unconvincing. (And how would she have seen Clara's art - or was she just a mouthpiece for God?) I was annoyed by an anachronism with the commercial photographer, who shot with film instead of digital. The book was published in 2006, and surely then an advertising photographer would have shot in digital, so there would be no instance of destroying a roll of film, or missing pictures. The photographer would have simply deleted any files. It didn't work as a plot device. But that's a small quibble.

I look forward to reading more from Louise Penny, not only to revisit the quaint Quebec town and renew my friendship with some favorite characters, but because her books leave me with a feeling that, despite all the horror of grim realities, there is much joy in everyday lives to be celebrated. ...more

I find it hard to describe what it is I like so much about this book as well as the first book in the series-- difficult enough that I never reviewed Still Life.

I find them very comfortable books-- not sweet books, not cozy books, but books where I just seamlessly slip into their world. The village of Three Pines is a vivid place, with interesting characters.

There is an emphasis on art in both of these books-- the first featured painters, and many of the characters continued into A Fatal Grace,I find it hard to describe what it is I like so much about this book as well as the first book in the series-- difficult enough that I never reviewed Still Life.

I find them very comfortable books-- not sweet books, not cozy books, but books where I just seamlessly slip into their world. The village of Three Pines is a vivid place, with interesting characters.

There is an emphasis on art in both of these books-- the first featured painters, and many of the characters continued into A Fatal Grace, which briefly added a designer and photographer to the cast, before killing one of them off. I find that this emphasis is reflected by the book as a whole-- I have an impression of the characters that seems almost more of a portrait of a character than knowing them personally.

In many ways, that's true of the book as a whole. It has all the elements that make for a good story-- an engaging plot, the many twists and turns of a well executed mystery, and intriguing characters. It has a wonderful sense of place as well.

One reason I love Louise Penny so much is that her mysteries are so human, so emotional. Her stories aren't like a Dell book of logic puzzles, with correct answers but without a soul. No. Her stories are about the seeds of emotions sprinkled, germinated, and fully expressed.

Here's an excerpt from a moment between Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie:

'Voila. It's good to be home.' He took her in his arms and kissed her, feeling her soft bodySuperior writing. Superior mystery.

One reason I love Louise Penny so much is that her mysteries are so human, so emotional. Her stories aren't like a Dell book of logic puzzles, with correct answers but without a soul. No. Her stories are about the seeds of emotions sprinkled, germinated, and fully expressed.

Here's an excerpt from a moment between Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife Reine-Marie:

'Voila. It's good to be home.' He took her in his arms and kissed her, feeling her soft body beneath his coat. They'd both swelled since they'd first met. There was no way either would get into their wedding clothes. But they'd grown in other ways as well, and Gamache figured it was a good deal. If life meant growth in all directions, it was fine with him.

Reine-Marie hugged him back, feeling his coat wet from the falling snow making her own sweater damp. But she figured it was a good deal. In exchange for a little discomfort, she got immense comfort.

As you can see, the author knows how to use parallelism beautifully, and not merely to show technical know-how, but to reveal the humanity of the protagonist hero and the woman who makes him.

The whole novel sparkles with goosebump moments like this, especially as gorgeously suspended questions get answered. Try this talent of an author out some time....more

I am not averse to familiar tropes or carefully crafted set ups that hook and lead and set up a read according to well known methods. But there were too many icky, pat set ups and characters in this for me to persevere with it. I mean, I could feel my sentimental glands being milked right from the first pages. The book is set in a cosy American village that I found so sickly aspirational it repelled me instantly. And descriptions (flashback) of children with faces pressed up against Christmas wiI am not averse to familiar tropes or carefully crafted set ups that hook and lead and set up a read according to well known methods. But there were too many icky, pat set ups and characters in this for me to persevere with it. I mean, I could feel my sentimental glands being milked right from the first pages. The book is set in a cosy American village that I found so sickly aspirational it repelled me instantly. And descriptions (flashback) of children with faces pressed up against Christmas windows! Ugh. Abandoned. ...more

JudithI know what you mean, I like the series but am getting tired of the "sweetness". Inspector Gamache is a nice guy, I get it!! And he dresses well. AndI know what you mean, I like the series but am getting tired of the "sweetness". Inspector Gamache is a nice guy, I get it!! And he dresses well. And everyone in Three Pines loves to eat. Enough already!...more
Jun 22, 2013 01:28PM

This book, the second in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery/crime novel series, is, if anything, even better than the first book.

I can't wait to read the next one.

I did guess whodonit, but that didn't detract from the pleasure of reading this.

There is a second murder in the lovely and picturesque Quebec village of Three Pines, a year after the first one.

Someone's murdered CC de Poitiers at the annual Christmas curling competi I've Become A Fan/Addict of This Gentle and Delightful Series

This book, the second in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache mystery/crime novel series, is, if anything, even better than the first book.

I can't wait to read the next one.

I did guess whodonit, but that didn't detract from the pleasure of reading this.

There is a second murder in the lovely and picturesque Quebec village of Three Pines, a year after the first one.

Someone's murdered CC de Poitiers at the annual Christmas curling competition (which is a Three Pines Tradition). Curling, by the way, refers to a winter sport played in Canada, not to a hairdressing activity.

CC was completely unpopular. She was extremely mean and had delusions of grandeur. No one liked her. This meant that there were many suspects.

CC purchased the old Hadley house on the hill (the site of the last murder). She bought the house for a song, because no one would touch it, given its history. She lived there with her withdrawn, overweight daughter, Cri, and her passive husband, Richard Lion. Neither of them liked CC much, since she was abusive to both of them, especially the child.

CC also had a lover, Saul Petrov, who was doing photographs of her for her business. Saul and CC despised each other too.

Penny brings back most of the cast of characters from the previous book. This includes, of course, the elegant and kind hearted Chief Inspector Armand Gamache himself, from the Montreal Surete. He is surrounded by his usual sidekicks, Jean-Guy Beauvoir (his right hand man) and much of his previous team, including Agent Isabelle LaCoste and even, unexpectedly, the unpleasant Agent Yvette Nichol. There is a new team member, Robert Lemieux. There is also Gamache's beloved wife, Reine-Marie.

We've also got most of the Three Pines townies from the last book. They are a varied lot, artistic and bohemian. There's the surly elderly alcholic Ruth Zardo, whose insulting persona hides a fine poetess, and a very capable woman. There are Clara and Peter, the artist couple; and Myrna, the flamboyant large black woman who is a former psychologist turned bookseller. Gay couple Gavri and Olivier, owners of the local B & B and purveyors of antiques, turn up also.

There are also a new group of women (new to this series, not to Three Pines), the "Three Graces". These are three elderly ladies, Kay, Em, and Beatrice (aka "Mother" or "B"). "Mother" ran the local yoga and meditation center, called "Be Calm". Em owned a dog, Henri.

As usual with Penny, the books goes into the characters and their inner lives in depth.

In this one, she deals more with their individual spiritual experiences, which contrast with the shallow New Age "spirituality" of CC.

Anyway, we see the courage of the investigators and the townspeople. Gamache and Beauvoir rush into a burning building to save someone as townspeople fight the fire outside in the brutal Quebec winter. In another scene, Gamache and some locals snowmobile over an icy lake in a blizzard to save a few locals.

As usual with Penny, the book is bittersweet. There are losses, but her writing also affirms the sweetness of love, friendship, food, kindness, and spiritual understanding.

Martha Stewart wannabe CC de Poitiers has invaded the tranquility of the picture postcard village of Three Pines, buying up the somewhat creepy mansion in which Inspector Gamache’s last bloody case was brought to a close. Moving in with her henpecked husband and gifted but unloved daughter, CC manages to cast a pall even over the idyllic Christmas Eve service. She’s also shamelessly purloined the ideas of the villagers to publish in her new book as her own. So when CC winds up dead by electrocutMartha Stewart wannabe CC de Poitiers has invaded the tranquility of the picture postcard village of Three Pines, buying up the somewhat creepy mansion in which Inspector Gamache’s last bloody case was brought to a close. Moving in with her henpecked husband and gifted but unloved daughter, CC manages to cast a pall even over the idyllic Christmas Eve service. She’s also shamelessly purloined the ideas of the villagers to publish in her new book as her own. So when CC winds up dead by electrocution during the traditional holiday curling tournament, no one is surprised or sorry. But Gamache must investigate anyway, and has got his work cut out for him. The situation is complicated by the reassignment of agent Yvette Nichol to his squad, who did her utmost to undermine that last investigation. Then there’s the murder of a homeless woman in Montreal, a seemingly unrelated crime that turns out to have serious connections to CC’s death.

The charm of this series lies less in its police procedural aspects than in watching Gamache, a serious student of human nature, piece together tiny bits of evidence and intuitions to formulate a coherent theory to pursue. While occasionally threatening to spill over into the cozy genre, this is avoided by the inclusion of unusual settings and experiences, in this case the curling match and certain parallels to Eleanor of Aquitaine. The behavior of seemingly honest and harmless villagers can also be deceiving. There is no such person in Three Pines or in Gamache’s wider sphere of influence, excepting perhaps, his wife Reine Marie. Like Guido Brunetti in Donna Leon’s series, Armand Gamache is a man of intelligence and humanity, someone you’d like to get to know....more

There is a long history behind the mystery Inspector Gamache has to tackle in this second addition to this series. The same old gang returns for another great ride into this, Three Pines, adventure centered around the Holiday Season. Hot cider, decorations, caroling, and special winter smells are so well described by Louise Penny that you are just enveloped into the whole feel of Christmas magic and the joys of good friends, food and laughter.

I am continually enchanted by the repartee and, laugThere is a long history behind the mystery Inspector Gamache has to tackle in this second addition to this series. The same old gang returns for another great ride into this, Three Pines, adventure centered around the Holiday Season. Hot cider, decorations, caroling, and special winter smells are so well described by Louise Penny that you are just enveloped into the whole feel of Christmas magic and the joys of good friends, food and laughter.

I am continually enchanted by the repartee and, laugh out loud, banter of this elderly group of intellectual eccentrics, that compose the group of main characters. They have known each other for years and some how have developed into an endearing, "hysterical", functional, dysfunctional family, that have found a place in my heart.

This book as compared to the last has more of a philosophical take surrounding the circumstances leading up to the crime. I found it to be thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyed some of the quotes and poems discussed. Besides Ruth's profound, sometimes jarring poems, I especially enjoyed Leonard Cohen's lyrics that were quoted:"Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything That's how the light gets in"

I won't go on with some of the other two line sarcastic, witty banters, that are a constant between the characters. Suffice it to say, "they let the light in". Onto book three. Highly recommend....more

The village of Three Pines seems like an idyllic retreat located just a drive away from bustling Quebec. But the beautiful scenery and warm hospitality apparently don’t insulate the town from violent crimes. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec is once again called in to investigate the murder of socialite CC de Poitiers. What is especially unusual about this case is the murderer’s weapon of choice; CC has been electrocuted on the ice during a curling match with the entire townThe village of Three Pines seems like an idyllic retreat located just a drive away from bustling Quebec. But the beautiful scenery and warm hospitality apparently don’t insulate the town from violent crimes. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Surete du Quebec is once again called in to investigate the murder of socialite CC de Poitiers. What is especially unusual about this case is the murderer’s weapon of choice; CC has been electrocuted on the ice during a curling match with the entire town in attendance.

There is so much that I loved about this book. The descriptions of the setting totally immerse you in this winter world in a small town. Just the descriptions of the brutal cold had me grabbing a sweatshirt while I read the book in warm California. And I loved the ‘Canadianness’ of this book! Curling on the pond – quaint and adorable. I loved the characters in this book, from the likeable hero, Inspector Gamache, to the very bitchy poet in residence Ruth. The characters are deep and complex – no stereotypes here! What is the real strength behind this story is the gradual reveal of the character flaws in everyone and the inherent good and generosity of people in general. This is my first Louise Penny story, but I will be definitely be reading the entire series from the beginning. It is rare that I give 5 stars for genre fiction, but this story was a pleasure to read and gave me lots to ponder after the last page....more

I only recently discovered Louise Penny and am falling in love with her writing style. She has a very eloquent way with words and uses them to create beautiful passages. Her books so far have been pleasant escapes that make you think, rather than being fast paced thrillers (I enjoy both, just clarifying for others considering this one). As a bonus there are two touching segments within this story that dog lovers will enjoy - Penny's fondness for dogs definitely shows in th 3 stars - It was good.

I only recently discovered Louise Penny and am falling in love with her writing style. She has a very eloquent way with words and uses them to create beautiful passages. Her books so far have been pleasant escapes that make you think, rather than being fast paced thrillers (I enjoy both, just clarifying for others considering this one). As a bonus there are two touching segments within this story that dog lovers will enjoy - Penny's fondness for dogs definitely shows in this one.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the mystery part of this book as much as the one within Still Life. It was still clever and difficult to correctly solve all of it's parts - all pluses. However, the murder was rather contrived and convoluted, which sharply contrasts with Penny's gentle way of unfolding her stories. Also, unlike in her first book, there is a lot of groundwork being laid for subplots that will assumingly continue to unfold in future books. I strongly preferred how everything was relatively self-contained in the first novel. Finally, there were several questions related to the murder that were never addressed or solved. I would be fine with that had the detectives arrived at the conclusion that they could not unravel them, but it felt more like these issues were simply forgotten. That does not fit with the professionalism and thoroughness that Chief Inspector Gamache exudes with his work.

All that being said, these issues are in no way enough of a concern to keep me from continuing this series. I am already looking forward to the next one.

------------------------------------------------------

Favorite Quote: Murderers were human, and at the root of each murder was an emotion. Warped, no doubt. Twisted and ugly. But an emotion. And one so powerful it had driven a man to make a ghost.

First Sentence: Had CC de Poitiers known she was going to be murdered she might have bought her husband, Richard, a Christmas gift....more

Pretty much, I was bored by the beginning, entertained through the middle, and found the end to be tied-up quickly and hastily and not-really with a whole lot of sense.

This time, though, I sussed the whole thing out pretty quickly, which is always fun for me. I wasn't put off the trail by the many other paths thrown at me. Yay, I'm becoming so clever.

Questions I have:-Is there always going to be a suspicious rookie (as in, the rookie has suspicions not that the rookie is acting suspiciously) whoPretty much, I was bored by the beginning, entertained through the middle, and found the end to be tied-up quickly and hastily and not-really with a whole lot of sense.

This time, though, I sussed the whole thing out pretty quickly, which is always fun for me. I wasn't put off the trail by the many other paths thrown at me. Yay, I'm becoming so clever.

Questions I have:-Is there always going to be a suspicious rookie (as in, the rookie has suspicions not that the rookie is acting suspiciously) who is too eager to please?-Why do we have to have Agent Nichol? I mean, yes, I see that she's now part of the bigger, darker, uglier story but I can't stand her and I hate how she's always just kind of left there at the end, like a lump. A lump that would probably benefit from being poked with a stick only there's are no sticks in the vicinity so she just sits there. She's lump, she's lump, she's lump...I don't care why she's a self-righteous, entitled sociopath and I don't care about her dad. I don't care about anything regarding her and having to hear about her makes me stabby.-Why is Gamache still in this business if he is so often wrong and is sort of just bumbling along, not doing any actual detective work other than talking to people? He doesn't watch nearly enough American crime shows. There's supposed to be stuff sent to labs and DNA and everything else, not instinct-based deductive work gleaned from sitting on benches watching people. Like a stalker.

And now we have a betrayal coming up, a bigger, darker, uglier story running through these stories.

Still. I love the little town and its quirky inhabitants. And mom is making me read these so I will keep going. I'm still waiting for the duck.

Many of Louise Penny's books are published under different titles by UK/Canada and US publishers.She lives with her husband, Michael, and a golden retriever named Trudy, in a small village south of Montreal.

Her first Armand Gamache novel, "Still Life" won the New Blood Dagger, Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony and Dilys Awards.

Awards: * Agatha Award: Best Novel o 2007 – A Fatal Grace – Winner o 2008 –Many of Louise Penny's books are published under different titles by UK/Canada and US publishers.She lives with her husband, Michael, and a golden retriever named Trudy, in a small village south of Montreal.

Her first Armand Gamache novel, "Still Life" won the New Blood Dagger, Arthur Ellis, Barry, Anthony and Dilys Awards.